| |
Trustee Archive
In an attempt to win the War on Drugs, we enacted mandatory minimum sentencing laws in 1986. These laws, intended to reduce or eliminate illegal drug supplies, were enforced against first-time offenders. All 50 states and DC also have mandatory minimum sentencing laws. Original mandatory minimum sentencing laws, later revised in 2005, required a mandatory minimum 10-year term of imprisonment and a maximum life term of imprisonment for trafficking offenses involving 5 kilograms of powdered cocaine or 50 grams of cocaine base (crack). The average sentence of these first-time nonviolent drug offenders is often longer than the average sentence for rape, child molestation, bank robbery or manslaughter. These laws have filled our prisons but the War on Drugs is no closer to being won now than it was when it began in 1971.
Before this law was passed, about 50,000 Americans were serving time for drug offenses. Today, there are nearly 400,000 drug offenders locked up. Our prison budget has increased more than 1,000% during this time to accommodate mandatory minimum sentences. Opponents of mandatory sentencing laws say prosecutors, by deciding how to charge and prosecute offenders, are now making sentencing decisions instead of judges. Critics claim mandatory sentencing laws have failed to decrease our nation's illegal drug supplies and that these inmates should not be serving such long terms for nonviolent crimes.
Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.7194 - Mandatory Minimum Reform Act of 2020
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Maxine Waters (CA) |
- I oppose reforming current mandatory minimum sentencing law policy and wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Speaker Mike Johnson (LA).
- I support eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for all drug offenses where the offense involves the illegal distribution or possession of any substance containing cocaine or cocaine base, in an amount less than 500 grams, shall not be commenced without the prior written approval of the Attorney General. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Maxine Waters (CA) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
|
|
| Winning Option
»» No issues were voted |
-
I support eliminating mandatory minimum sentences for all drug offenses where the offense involves the illegal distribution or possession of any substance containing cocaine or cocaine base, in an amount less than 500 grams, shall not be commenced without the prior written approval of the Attorney General. And wish to donate resources to the campaign committee of Rep. Maxine Waters (CA) and/or to an advocate group currently working with this issue.
|
- Representative
If elected as a trustee, the campaign committee of Rep. Maxine Waters (CA) will be unconditionally awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting her to favorably consider either reintroducing H.R.7194 - Mandatory Minimum Reform Act of 2020, or a similar version thereof.
- Families Against Mandatory Minimums
If elected as a trustee, Families Against Mandatory Minimums will be awarded the funds pledged to this issue along with a letter requesting these funds be used to advocate for the repeal of mandatory minimum sentencing laws.
Mission: FAMM’s mission is to create a more fair and effective justice system that respects our American values of individual accountability and dignity while keeping our communities safe. FAMM’s greatest asset has always been the stories of its members. By sharing the impact of unjust sentencing and prison policies on incarcerated individuals, their families, and their communities, FAMM has helped create urgency around the issue and made the problem feel real to the policymakers who have to be moved to make meaningful change. This two-pronged approach — public education and targeted advocacy — is core to FAMM’s success to date and will remain critical to its work as the organization expands its organizing efforts nationally.
|
- No trustee votes received.
|
| Poll Opening Date |
November 20, 2023 |
| Poll Closing Date |
November 26, 2023 |
|
|
